AppClose removed its free tier. Here is where to go next.
On January 1, 2026, AppClose ended a decade of free access and switched to $8.99/month per parent — with no grandfathering for existing users. If you are looking for an alternative, here is an honest breakdown of your options and why families are switching to FairSplit.
Start FairSplit Free — No Credit CardWhat AppClose changed — and when.
After more than a decade as the most-downloaded free co-parenting app — with over 1 million Google Play downloads — AppClose switched to a paid subscription on January 1, 2026. The change was not gradual and there was no grandfathering: existing free users who had relied on the app for years were required to pay or lose access.
The new pricing: $8.99 per month per parent. That is $17.98 per month per household — for both parents to have access.
AppClose has since offered free accounts to domestic violence survivors and low-income families through a verified application program — a meaningful gesture that does not change the situation for the majority of displaced users.
If you used AppClose because it was free and reliable, you now have a decision to make. This page is designed to help you make it.
What made AppClose worth using — and what it still does well.
AppClose built genuine trust over a decade. Before evaluating alternatives, it is worth being honest about what it did well — because any alternative worth switching to should match or exceed these.
What AppClose does well
- Shared custody calendar with 15+ schedule templates
- Secure messaging with immutable message records
- Expense tracking and payment integration (ipayou)
- Document storage and file vault
- Check-in system for custody exchanges
- Solo Mode — one parent can use it without the other joining
- Court-ready reporting
- Large, established user community
What AppClose does not have
- Expense escrow — it tracks expenses and facilitates payments, but does not hold funds in a neutral account pending approval
- In-app dispute resolution — no structured flow for contested expenses
- Per-pair pricing — both parents pay separately at $8.99/month each
These gaps are not small. If your main problem is getting paid reliably for shared expenses, AppClose's payment model has always depended on both parents cooperating voluntarily. When they do not, there is no resolution mechanism inside the app.
FairSplit vs AppClose — feature by feature.
| Feature | FairSplit | AppClose |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99/mo per pair | $8.99/mo per parent ($17.98/household) |
| Free tier | Free forever (limited), no credit card | None — removed January 1, 2026 |
| Shared calendar | ✗ Not included | ✓ 15+ templates |
| Secure messaging | ✓ AI-filtered | ✓ Standard |
| Expense tracking | ✓ Unlimited on Pro | ✓ Yes |
| In-app payments | ✓ Stripe ACH + card | ✓ ipayou integration |
| Expense escrow | ✓ Funds held until approved | ✗ Payment without neutral hold |
| Dispute resolution | ✓ 3-step structured flow | ✗ Not available |
| Solo Mode | ✓ SMS links — no app needed | ✓ Requires co-parent download |
| Court-friendly PDF | ✓ Auto-generated, 1-tap | ✓ Available (all paid tiers) |
| Per-pair pricing | ✓ One pays, both get in | ✗ Each parent pays separately |
| Records after sub ends | ✓ Always exportable | ✓ Yes |
| DV / low-income program | Income-based free access | ✓ 14,760+ verified free accounts |
The three reasons AppClose users are switching to FairSplit.
The pricing model makes more sense.
When AppClose was free, the per-person pricing model did not matter — both parents were on it for nothing. Now that it costs $8.99/month each, the "why should I pay for an app you chose?" conversation has become real.
FairSplit's per-pair model removes that conversation entirely. One parent pays $9.99/month. Both parents get in. The parent who needs the documentation most — usually the one managing the majority of shared expenses — pays. The co-parent gets access at no additional cost.
Expense escrow closes the gap AppClose never filled.
AppClose tracks shared expenses and facilitates payments. But if your co-parent disputes a charge, says the amount is wrong, or simply ignores the request — there is no mechanism inside AppClose to resolve it. The money either moves because both parties agree, or it does not move at all.
FairSplit holds the requested funds in escrow until both parties agree. If your co-parent disputes the charge, our 3-step Dispute Resolution flow handles it inside the app — evidence uploaded, outcome documented. A $200 disagreement does not need to become a $3,000 legal bill.
Solo Mode works without requiring co-parent download.
Both AppClose and FairSplit have Solo Mode. The difference: FairSplit's Solo Mode sends expense requests to your co-parent via SMS link — they respond in any browser, no app download required. This removes the single biggest barrier to adoption: the co-parent who refuses to download an app their ex chose.
Moving from AppClose to FairSplit — what to know.
Practical switching time from AppClose to first documented FairSplit expense: under 10 minutes.
Export your AppClose data
Before switching, export your AppClose records — message history and expense log — while you still have access. AppClose allows data export regardless of subscription status.
Create your FairSplit account
Create a FairSplit account — takes 90 seconds, no credit card. You're on the Free plan immediately, with the option to upgrade to Pro any time.
Set your default expense split
Configure how costs are divided — 50/50 or a custom percentage. This applies automatically to every future expense request, so you don't have to recalculate the split each time.
Invite your co-parent — or start Solo Mode
If your co-parent is willing, invite them via email or phone. If not, start Solo Mode — every expense and request is documented and delivered via SMS link.
Log your first expense
Upload the receipt, set the split, submit. Your co-parent receives an SMS link with the receipt and amount. They approve — money moves via Stripe ACH. Total switching time to first documented expense: under 10 minutes.
Other options if FairSplit is not the right fit.
We are not the only alternative. Here is an honest overview of the others.
OurFamilyWizard
Full comparison →The most court-recognized co-parenting platform in the US — used in custody disputes in all 50 states. More expensive ($25–$50/month per household) but has the strongest institutional track record. If you have a high-conflict case and your attorney recommends it, it is worth the cost.
Does not include expense escrow or in-app dispute resolution.
TalkingParents
Focused on court-admissible communication records. Removed its free mobile tier in March 2026. Priced per person — $77/year at lowest tier, up to $353/year for AI features.
Strong on message documentation, lighter on expense management.
Kidtime
The only purpose-built co-parenting app still with a genuine free tier as of 2026. Includes calendar, messaging, and attorney access at no cost.
Does not include expense tracking or payment features. Best for calendar and communication only.
SupportPay
Focused specifically on child support and shared expense tracking. Handles expense documentation well. Priced per person.
Does not include the communication and calendar tools most co-parents also need.
Parents whose primary problem is getting paid for shared expenses — and who want that process documented, structured, and resolved without attorney involvement. Especially useful when the co-parent is difficult, unresponsive, or dispute-prone.
You are in active high-conflict litigation where the court has ordered or strongly suggested a specific platform, and institutional court recognition is the primary requirement.
Free forever. No credit card. Decide after you have used it.
The fastest way to know if FairSplit works for your situation is to use it. The Free plan is yours to keep — Pro adds expense escrow, dispute resolution, court-friendly PDF, and Solo Mode for $9.99/month per pair.
No credit card required. No automatic charge, ever. If it does not work, your AppClose export is still there.
Start FairSplit Free — No Credit Card Required →Questions? hello@fairsplit.live
Questions about switching from AppClose.
AppClose ended its free tier on January 1, 2026, after more than a decade of free access with over 1 million Google Play downloads. The new pricing is $8.99/month per parent. Existing users were not grandfathered — all free accounts were required to convert to paid or lose access. AppClose has since provided free accounts to domestic violence survivors and low-income families through a verified application program.
AppClose charges $8.99/month per parent. For a household where both parents need access, the total cost is $17.98/month — $215.76/year. There is no free tier and no per-pair pricing option.
FairSplit charges $9.99/month per co-parenting pair — one parent pays, both get full Pro access. AppClose charges $8.99/month per parent, meaning a two-parent household pays $17.98/month. FairSplit costs $95.88 less per year for the same two-parent household, and includes expense escrow and dispute resolution that AppClose does not offer.
Yes. FairSplit's Solo Mode lets you use the full app without your co-parent joining. The key difference from AppClose: FairSplit sends expense requests to your co-parent via SMS link — they can view and respond in any browser without downloading anything. AppClose's Solo Mode requires the co-parent to eventually download to fully participate.
AppClose data does not automatically import to FairSplit. Before switching, export your AppClose records — message history and expense log — while you still have access. AppClose allows data export regardless of subscription status. Your historical records remain in your AppClose export. All new expenses and communications from your FairSplit start date forward are documented in FairSplit.
FairSplit generates court-friendly PDFs of all expenses and messages — formatted and timestamped. These are designed to support attorney and court documentation workflows. Many family law attorneys use FairSplit documentation in proceedings. AppClose's court-ready reporting is available at all paid tiers. Confirm specific admissibility requirements with your family law attorney.
Two features AppClose does not offer: expense escrow (funds held until both parties approve, with ACH transfer via Stripe) and in-app dispute resolution (a structured 3-step flow for contested expenses that documents the outcome without requiring attorney involvement). FairSplit also has per-pair pricing — one parent pays $9.99/month, both parents get access — versus AppClose's per-person model.
Last updated: May 2026 · fairsplit.live/alternatives/appclose-alternative